5. Detroit Red WingsPreseason prediction: The Wings are still good because they have a god on defense in Lidstrom, a 40-50-goal threat in Zetterberg and a potent power play. What they don't have is a championship roster.

Here and now: Zetterberg is one of the best players in the NHL. Having seen them play in person, I still don't believe the Wings have a championship roster. They need a little more grit and punch, or Datsyuk will get shutout again. GM Ken Holland will do something. I'm sure he is telling John Davidson in St. Louis, "Don't do anything until you call me."

and his thoughts on the West overall:

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Overall, the West was pretty predictable and is clearly the better conference. However, the last three Stanley Cup winners have come from the East, and maybe that will happen again this year. The West will beat up on each other and an Eastern Conference team will pounce. Or we'll have what we saw from 1996-2002, when six of the seven Stanley Cup winners were from the West. We'll see.

A good article, i missed this earlier in the season so it was good to read everything in it.. But nothin about Hasek's play in it

Just goin on that a little. When we won the cup in 2002, Hasek to me, didn't seem to play overally great. He was impressive at times, but wasn't as good as he's playing this year. I'm just shocked that he's better now than maybe 4/5 years ago

This isnt nothing we dont know. But nobody can deny that goaltending has been as good as it has been since...well 2002, and the defense could be the best since then as well, in terms of its chemistry and balance between stay at homers and offensive guys.

Of course the front needs some work, but a top 5 of Hank, Dats, Homer, Lang and Bert, Guerin, or Tkachuk does wonders when you consider the guy being replace will likely be Williams and/or Hudler.

Here's his response to a letter from a new fan asking what he should look for to enjoy the game more:

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Not enough attention is paid to the amazing skating ability of the NHL player. Watch their feet and how fast and strong they are. Watch their amazing lateral movement. Watch how they stop and go on a dime. Watch how Dion Phaneuf skates backwards. Watch how Chris Drury takes a faceoff. Watch Henrik Zetterberg do everything

What I find interesting is that a few years ago Bucci had serious man-love for Pavel, but that has faded to near resentment of late (playoff play induced). He does have the man-love in full force for Z now though. Note that in one of his replies to an email about what to watch for as a new fan he replies.

Not enough attention is paid to the amazing skating ability of the NHL player. Watch their feet and how fast and strong they are. Watch their amazing lateral movement. Watch how they stop and go on a dime. Watch how Dion Phaneuf skates backwards. Watch how Chris Drury takes a faceoff. Watch Henrik Zetterberg do everything.

Just goin on that a little. When we won the cup in 2002, Hasek to me, didn't seem to play overally great. He was impressive at times, but wasn't as good as he's playing this year. I'm just shocked that he's better now than maybe 4/5 years ago

Unless we pick up at least one big guy who can chip in some postseason goals, I think Hasek is going to have to play out of his mind for the Wings to do well in the playoffs.

Maybe I'm just overly pessimistic from the last few seasons, but I think the Wings will have a hard time scoring again.

What I find interesting is that a few years ago Bucci had serious man-love for Pavel, but that has faded to near resentment of late (playoff play induced). He does have the man-love in full force for Z now though. Note that in one of his replies to an email about what to watch for as a new fan he replies.

Not enough attention is paid to the amazing skating ability of the NHL player. Watch their feet and how fast and strong they are. Watch their amazing lateral movement. Watch how they stop and go on a dime. Watch how Dion Phaneuf skates backwards. Watch how Chris Drury takes a faceoff. Watch Henrik Zetterberg do everything.

I beat ya to it Nick. And I have noticed that when the Wings come up, he often mentions Pavel's lack of playoff production.

i think partially we do get droughts iin the past years, but we haven't be ousted alone on that. We always seem to play a goalie that makes 40/50 saves. Potvin, Roloson and Giggy. I hate them all

No, it hasn't been that alone, but it's definitely a big factor. And I think we've made some goalies look better than they were.

In the playoffs everyone sits back and collapses around the goaltender to block more shots. So the ones that do get through often aren't quality scoring chances. They're low percentage shots from the perimeter.

It's the same old song and dance, but the Wings need to be able to cycle the puck in the corners and have guys crashing the net if they want to score in the postseason. They're not gonna be able to dipsy-doodle around in the offense zone like they can in the regular season.

[quote name='haroldsnepsts' date='February 20, 2007 - 06:24PM' post='963311']
No, it hasn't been that alone, but it's definitely a big factor. And I think we've made some goalies look better than they were.

"During Robert Lang’s time in Detroit, he caused me anguish. Other times he brought me and my family great joy. Robert Lang occasionally coasts, and spends time searching for the best pane of glass to best view the reflection of his flowing mullet. Other times he is a strong-armed force with the puck. I never knew what to expect from Robert Lang. He is The Enigma. " - A2Y